How long do Muntjac Deer live?
In captivity muntjac deer can live about 10-16 years with proper husbandry.
What do Muntjac Deer eat?
They are browsers: offer browse (leaves, twigs, shoots), quality hay, limited formulated deer or goat pellets, and small amounts of fruit and vegetables. Do NOT feed them large amounts of grain, bread, or lush rich feed, which cause acidosis and laminitis; avoid sudden diet changes.
Housing and space
Muntjac need a secure paddock of at least a few hundred square meters per pair with fencing 1.5-2 m (5-6.5 ft) high and ideally deer-proof mesh, plus shelter from weather and shade. They are escape artists and jump/climb, so fencing must be robust. They tolerate temperate climates with adequate shelter.
Common mistakes with Muntjac Deer
Dangerous mistakes are treating them as house pets, inadequate fencing that lets them escape or get injured, grain-heavy feeding causing acidosis and laminitis, and keeping them where they are classed as livestock/wildlife without the required permits or a suitable vet.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Treating them as house pets — they are hoofstock needing land and shelter.
- Weak fencing — muntjac escape and injure themselves easily.
- Grain-heavy diets — cause acidosis and laminitis.
- Ignoring livestock/wildlife permits and vet access requirements.